Aglaonema plant named &#34;Stars&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema named `Stars` particularly characterized by its dark green leaves marked with dark silver-green blotches and white yellow-green speckles and its relatively short, well-branched and dense growth habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAglaonema plant, botanically known as Algaonema hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Stars.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Valkaria, Fla. The new cultivar originated from a crossmade by the inventor in August, 1986, between the nonpatented Aglaonemacostatum var. maculatum as the female, or seed, parent with the speciesAglaonema brevispathum. The cultivar Stars was discovered and selectedby the inventor in September, 1987, as a plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in Valkaria, Fla.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar at Valkaria, Fla., has shownthat the unique features of this new Aglaonema plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualpropagation.

The new Aglaonema has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and fertilizer rate,without, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations,measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Zolfo Springs,Fla., under a polypropylene-covered shadehouse and conditions whichclosely approximate those used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Stars`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Stars` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Plants of the new Aglanonema are freely branching, relatively shortand spreading in growth habit.

2. Plants of the new Aglaonema have numerous intermediate-sized leaves,giving the plant a dense and bushy appearance.

3. The abaxial leaf surfaces of the new Aglaonema are dark green in basecolor with large dark silver green blotches. The leaves are speckledwith white or yellow-green spots which are visible from both sides ofthe leaf. The midrib is white and tinged with yellow-green.

Perhaps the closest commercial comparison to the new Aglaonema isDieffenbachia×bausei which has a similar leaf color pattern and shape.However plants of Dieffenbachia×bausei are less freely branching, growmuch taller, and lack the durability which is characteristic of thegenus Aglaonema.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproduction of this type.

The first photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typicalsingle plant of `Stars` in a 26-cm container about 18 months afterplanting a single four-leaf cutting.

The second photograph comprises a close-up view of the abaxial surfaceof a mature leaf and illustrates the detail of the leaf color pattern.

The third photograph comprises a close-up view of the adaxial surface ofa mature leaf and illustrates the detail of the leaf color pattern.

Leaf colors in the photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Aglaonema hybrida cultivar `Stars`.

Parentage:

Seed or female parent.--Aglaonema costatum var. maculatum (notpatented).

Pollen or male parent.--Aglaonema brevispathum.

Propagation: Asexual propagation by division or tissue culture.

Plant description:

Plant shape.--Relatively compact and wide, outwardly spreading, freelybranching, dense and symmetrical.

Growth habit.--Relatively erect when young, becoming more outwardlyspreading as leaves develop.

Plant size.--Height: Soil surface to top of leaf canopy: Approximately35 to 48 cm. Soil surface to junction of the petioles of the last twounrolled leaves: Approximately 12 to 16 cm. Width: Approximately 74 to80 cm.

Root description.--Thick white roots with fine laterals.

Stem description.--Upright. Diameter, 5 cm above the soil surface:Approximately 1.4 to 1.7 cm. Internode length, 3 cm above the soilsurface: Approximately 0.9 to 2.2 cm. Color: Greener than 161C/161D withareas of 146A.

Petiole description.--The following description is based on the fourthexpanded leaf from the apex. Growth pattern: The petiole has fleshyedges extending from the midrib that are referred to as wings. Wingsextend from the base of the petiole to approximately 6.6 to 7.5 cm belowthe base of the leaf. The wings are about 4 to 7 mm wide midway from thepetiole base to the wing apex. The wing apex is acute. The petiolefollows the stem axis but diverges from the axis about 15 to 18 cm fromthe leaf base, forming a horizontal distance from the vertical axis ofthe stem to the leaf base of approximately 5 to 7.5 cm. Dimensions: Thepetiole is straight from its base to the tip of the wings, and oftencurved between the tip of the wings and the base of the leaf. Thepetiole is approximately 5 to 6 mm in diameter midway between the wingapex and the base of the leaf. The petiole is approximately 17.3 to 19.8cm in length from its base to the base of the leaf. Color: Petiolewings: 137A with small speckles of 138A. Midrib: Darker than 137A.

Axillary breaks.--There are approximately 12 axillary breaks with atleast one leaf expanded. First leaves will show true color and colorpattern.

Leaf description.--Growth Pattern: The leaf is ovate with an acute apexand an obtuse base. The margin is entire. The leaf is oriented parallelto the stem axis at the time of full unrolling, changing toapproximately 40 degrees from vertical stem axis as more leaves unrollabout it. The midrib is straight. The leaf blade is somewhat wavy, andoften distinctly puckered along the midrib. The leaf margin is oftensomewhat wavy. Dimensions: For the pot size and growing time indicated,the largest leaves are approximately 24.5 to 30.9 cm long andapproximately 10.7 to 13.3 cm wide. Average sized leaves areapproximately 22.1 to 24.2 cm long and approximately 9.6 to 10.5 cmwide. The leaf blade is relatively thin with a leathery texture and amatte to slightly glossy surface. Midrib: The midrib is thick andprominent, recessed on the abaxial leaf surface and prominent on theadaxial surface. Primary veins: The primary veins are sunken into theabaxial surface and slightly prominent on the adaxial surface. Theprimary veins are the same color as the tissue surrounding them. Theleaf blade is convex between the primary veins. Color pattern: Theabaxial leaf surfaces are dark green in base color. Large prominent darksilver-green blotches occupy much of the central leaf surface. The leafblade is randomly speckled with small white and yellow-green spots whichare visible from both sides of the leaf. The number of white andyellow-green speckles is greatest on juvenile growth, and considerablyreduced on larger more mature growth. The midrib is white, and oftentinged with yellow-green. The adaxial leaf surface is medium green withpale silver green chevrons which follow the primary veins. The midrib ismedium green. Small white or yellow-green speckles randomly dot theentire leaf surface, and are more abundant on the adaxial surface thanon the abaxial surface. Color: Mature leaf, abaxial surface: Base color:147A with dark silver-green blotches which are darker than 147B. Whiteand yellow-green speckles/spots of 150D/155A. Midrib -- 155D/150D.Mature leaf, adaxial surface: Base color: Darker than 137C with, palesilver-green chevrons of 138B. White and yellow-green speckles of145D/150D. Midrib: 137C. Newly opened leaf, abaxial surface: Base color:Greener than 147A, with silver-green blotches of 147B. White andyellow-green speckles of 145D/150D. Midrib: 155D. Newly opened leaf,adaxial surface: Base color: 147B with pale silver-green chevrons of138B. White and yellow-green speckles of 145D/150D. Midrib: Lighter than147B/147C.

Inflorescence.--Typical of Aglaonema, no commercial significance.

General Observations

Aglaonema `Stars` is a freely branching, relatively short-growingvariety having dark green leaves prominently marked with darksilver-green blotches and distinctive white and yellow-green speckleswhich are visible from both sides of the leaf. These characteristics incombination make `Stars` a unique and distinct new cultivar.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named`Stars`, as illustrated and described.